Moving to Southern California (looking for community and real estate feedback)

[Mooncalf]

We are looking into moving to Southern California within the next few months and are trying to get an idea of what areas that we should be looking into that are in our price range. My sister lives in Long Beach so we are thinking of places from San Diego to the Long Beach area.

I have only been to that area a couple of times (SD for a day and then visiting her in Long Beach) and know very little about what areas we should focus on or avoid. Hoping to find a 2 bed/2 bath house for $300,000 to $350,000 tops, is that doable in a desirable area?

Any towns/communties that might fit that or ones to avoid would be helpful as well as any other general thoughts that might be useful.

 

[AreaCode707]

Northern California.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: Mooncalf
Hoping to find a 2 bed/2 bath house for $300 to $350 tops, is that doable in a desirable area?

No.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Parody thread?

-geoff

 

[brtspears2]

$300-350 tops? My 2 bed,2 bath condo costs me $895 a month and I'm semi-far away from LA. (Riverside, CA)

 

[Ameesh]

did you forget the K i.e. 350K? if so you can defintley find a nice 2bd/ba for that much, if you didnt then you are high, there is no way you can rent for $350 a month any where in so cal for that price desirable or undesirable. a crack house in watts will cost you more then that.

 

[kaizersose]

Originally posted by: Mooncalf
We are looking into moving to Southern California within the next few months and are trying to get an idea of what areas that we should be looking into that are in our price range. My sister lives in Long Beach so we are thinking of places from San Diego to the Long Beach area.

I have only been to that area a couple of times (SD for a day and then visiting her in Long Beach) and know very little about what areas we should focus on or avoid. Hoping to find a 2 bed/2 bath house for $300 to $350 tops, is that doable in a desirable area?

Any towns/communties that might fit that or ones to avoid would be helpful as well as any other general thoughts that might be useful.

do you mean $350,000 to buy or $350/month in rent?

edit: too late!

 

[TheNinja]

Multiply your number by 3 and you're getting warm.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
did you forget the K i.e. 350K? if so you can defintley find a nice 2bd/ba for that much, if you didnt then you are high, there is no way you can rent for $350 a month any where in so cal for that price desirable or undesirable. a crack house in watts will cost you more then that.

If I could find a 2BR/2BA crackhouse for $350, I'd be there in a flash. A boy can dream. *sigh*

-geoff

 

[ZaneNBK]

I'm hoping he means $300k-350k tops. You should be able to find something nice in that range in Aliso Viejo or Mission Viejo (central/southern Orange County).

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Mooncalf
I have only been to that area a couple of times (SD for a day and then visiting her in Long Beach) and know very little about what areas we should focus on or avoid. Hoping to find a 2 bed/2 bath house for $300 to $350 tops, is that doable in a desirable area?

In 1965 maybe.

 

[Mooncalf]

Yes, $300,000 to $350,000. Looking to buy a house not rent.

 

[imported_Mike]

I love san deigo county, though honestly it is becoming more and more like la

 

[ggavinmoss]

Well then that changes everything. One suggestion is Rancho Santa Margarita. A little off the beaten path in South Orange County, but reasonable priced housing and is a growing community.

-geoff

 

[LordUnum]

Originally posted by: HotChic
Northern California.

Not.

Seriously though, $300-350/mo. for a place that matches your criteria in any sort of 'desirable' area is so not doable. Even in the most ghetto of areas, I doubt that'd get you much. Well, in Southern California in general, you'd want to stay near the coast to have clean, crisp air year-round and moderate/most comfortable temps even in the dead of summer. The Long Beach area you've already mentioned would be a good place to start looking if you want something relatively affordable. Fat chance getting something close to the beach though as the place is really booming from downtown on eastward (and now spreading a good bit inland).

My home town of Bellflower (not far from L.B.) is a sort of island of affordability amongst the more expensive 'mid-cities' of Downey, Cerritos and Lakewood, without having the ghetto stigma of parts of neighboring Norwalk and Paramount. Another place to look if you desire to be near L.A.

I'd say to be more realistic considering the extremely tight real estate market out here--in Southern California in general--plan on spending at the very least (almost assuming you'd have ungodly connections/luck) $700-800/mo. for a place you'd like. That's assuming you'd not venture into the valleys or deserts where homes/rooms would probably be more affordable. In that case, the price you'd likely pay instead is being further from your job, enduring a more painful commute, hotter temps in summer and sometimes less than desirable air quality.

EDIT: Woah, didn't catch the edit. That's a little better. Thought you meant $300-350/mo. in rent--nil chance as others have chimed in, heh. You can still find homes in my neighborhood/tract in Bellflower in that exact price range (homes typically are one-story, 3 bd./1-3/4 bath, 2 car garage, ~5400 sq. ft. lot). Thing is, not too many people are selling and are holding onto their homes as prices shoot skyward. You'd have to hurry.

 

[amnesiac]

The best places are, as ggavinmoss, off the beaten path.

Communities on the far outskirts are the most affordable - Santa Clarita, Lancaster/Palmdale, San Fernando Valley, Riverside, Ventura County, etc. Only problem is being stuck in BFE, and in the case of the Valley, being stuck in HELL.

You might want to look in San Pedro, Torrance, or any lower-middle income places as well if you want to be near the city.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Mooncalf
Yes, $300,000 to $350,000. Looking to buy a house not rent.

yeah you can defintely find a lot of places in that area, if you want something newer look more at the suburbs then in the big cities.

for your price range you could get into a nice condo in newport or even laguna beach. if you want a house there are tons of cities that are nice which you could afford a place.

 

[iotone]

Originally posted by: ZaneNBK
I'm hoping he means $300k-350k tops. You should be able to find something nice in that range in Aliso Viejo or Mission Viejo (central/southern Orange County).

a bit unlikely... i live in irvine (i'm a student), and we were looking for a house to rent here, and while we were looking, we came across lots of houses for sale... they all started at around 500k... it seems that the more south you go on the 5/405 in Orange County, you get pretty expensive...

but i can't be for sure, just my observation so far...

South O.C. is pretty plush in any case.

 

[ivol07]

If you're only looking for two bedrooms you should'nt have a problem finding something in that price range. Where are you going to be working? You don't want a long commute. You should buy something close to where you'll be working.

 

[paulee]

In that price range, you can probably get a 2 bed / 2 bath condo in a nice neighborhood.

Real Estate prices went crazy in the last three years. For a house in a decent neighborhood, ie Orange County, Irvine... you're looking at bottom $400k's and up. The market is so crazy basically any property (reasonably priced) that appears on the internet will be sold within the next 24-48 hours, usually closer to 24 hours.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Yax]

Why not move down but RENT for a year. Then you can look around and find an area you like before buying. If you just jump in and buy you may not get what you want. Then you'll simply regret it and moving will cost you more closing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My wife is a Real Estate Agent. PM me if you are interested in buying in North County San Diego.

 

[Dragnov]

I think people exaggerate the cost of houses in Southern California too much. Of course if you try to get a place in West L.A. or along the coast of Orange county it will be tough. All depends on how new of house you're looking for and location.

I know there are places in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo (the more "ghetto places" of Orange County even though they are FAR from it.. just in comparison to say places like Newport Beach and Irvine... they are still only about 15 minutes. from the beach).

Theres also places in the valley (NOT Riverside) like Azusa, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Walnut, etc. Temperatures are scorching hot here in the summer though and the houses are "old" (late 1970's) but all in good condition. Couple houses no more than block away for me me for sale at anywhere from $300,000 - $600,000. 30 minutes from the coast, 45 min. from the mountains, 30 min to L.A., etc.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
My wife is a Real Estate Agent. PM me if you are interested in buying in North County San Diego.

where are you in north county?

 

[Mooncalf]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Why not move down but RENT for a year. Then you can look around and find an area you like before buying. If you just jump in and buy you may not get what you want. Then you'll simply regret it and moving will cost you more closing.

If we can't come up with some specific communities to narrow the search down to that is likely what we will have to do. Still would have to find a nice place to rent if we go that route.

As for jobs, am going blind. That means if we do the rent thing first then we would get settled in in whatever area we chose to rent.

Thanks for the suggestions thusfar. I am making a list with those mentioned like Rancho Santa Margarita, Santa Clarita, Lancaster/Palmdale, San Fernando Valley, Riverside, Ventura County, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Azusa, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Walnut, Mission Viejo and Torrance. Someone mentioned a condo in that range in Newport/Laguna Beach also.

What does "the more "ghetto places" of Orange County mean exactly? If we can't find a good neighberhood in our range (probably should downgrade it closer to $250k to $300k really also) then we would probably have to look elsewhere like Florida. Would love to live by my sister but can't take a $100k mortgage either.

JulesMaximus.. What nice areas are in North County San Diego? I don't really know much about California outside of the select areas I saw in San Diego (mostly downtown, Old Town, La Jolla, etc.). Don't suppose it is possible to find a nice condo near the new ballpark for our range (yeah, right)?